Bridge To Terabithia [DVD]

My 11 year old son and I went to see this movie on the strength of the Disney TV trailers that really gave a totally false impression of what the film was about (it seemed perhaps it would be a great fantasy adventure similar to 'The time bandits', 'Narnia' or the recent 'Stardust'). In fact the film is more like a standard US teen movie, with typical school yard, home-life and school bus scenes. However the quality of the movie is simply in another league to most teen flicks, and it's got some visually stunning moments (not unlike quality films such as 'Alice doesn't live here anymore' and 'Fried green tomatoes'). It's got an intelligent script aimed squarely at an older kid audience, a fine young/adult cast, and is simply a good movie.It's not for most, if any, under 9s though as it deals with late preteen/teenager childhood friendship and school problems. It has also got quite a few pretty children's fantasy sequences which my son happily took to be real, Narnia style - and it's not that scary, although it is emotionally intense. I don't want to give away any more of the plot though, just try it for the family as it's ideal to rent or perhaps buy. I can't see many kids watching it often though, as its power works best on first viewing - unless someone ruins it by giving away the storyline. That said, it's likely this will be a childhood movie they will remember.The book, and film, was based on the author's son's real childhood friendship with a girl schoolfriend (although they were both eight at the time and not twelve as with the character's in the movie). I don't think the themes are unsuitable for older preteens - I enjoyed weepies Old Yeller and Bambi at 5 or 6 and in some respects the movies final scenes are quite uplifting. Besides the storyline is dictated by real events, not a Disney scriptwriter. It might be a good idea to watch the movie with youngsters though, not only because it's a good film, but also so that you can talk about it afterwards. My son and I really enjoyed 'Bridge to Terabithia', even though it was almost the exact opposite of what we expected given the Disney promotional trailers [and it's not really fair to blame the film or it's creators for that].This DVD movie's run time is 1 h 32 min, in 16:9 widescreen, it's rated PG (age 7+), with Dolby Stereo & 5.1 audio, and the it has English HoH subtitles. The PAL UK Region 2 locked DVD has quite a few extras: Map of the forest, The 'Bringing Terabithia to life' documentary, 'Behind the book' featurette, four audio commentaries (Director, Producer, Writer, Cast), and the 'Cast and Crew Interviews'. Rotten Tomatoes rate the film highly at 85%.

Good quality DVD. Lovely story

A great although sad film. In perfect condition

This is an excellent film to watch and I highly recommend it - if you're in the mood for a heart-warming, emotion-pulling family movie. Contrary to what some other reviewers have said, this film DOES have a happy ending, but in order to get to that point you do have to navigate a poignant moment - but this is crucial to the story's ultimate triumph.The visual effects (done by WETA, who worked on Lord of the Rings, King Kong, Narnia and many more) are very delicately done, like exquisite decoration on a grand tapestry - they are introduced subtly and grow only to enhance the imaginative sequences of the movie and never become the movie (unlike some films which get lost in their own cgi cleverness).The film itself is expertly played by all the central characters but especially by the two child ones and so it becomes easy to be drawn into both their 'make-believe' and harsher 'real life' worlds.The storyline develops through alienation, awkwardness, transformation, maturation, sadness, friendship, love and triumph as seen through the eyes and lives of these two children; a down-at-heel boy and a newcomer girl, who are both 'outsiders' in their separate ways but become the best of friends.I loved this film, it doesn't require too much thinking, yet it conveys the simple beauty of real friendship, and the simple truth that friendships change and in this way it was slightly reminiscent of "Pay It Forward".The author wrote this story many years ago around events in her own son's life who, now as a grown adult, co-produced and co-wrote the screenplay for this movie, therefore, imparting intimate understandings of the characters that other writers and/or producers would not have been able to convey.The Special Features are a bit hit and miss; the "Behind the Book" and "Digital Imagination" sections are both informative and worth watching but unfortunately the "Map Quest" is just a waste of time.Finally, if you've seen the trailer above (as I have just now whist writing this review) please ignore it - the scenes ARE from the movie but it presents a COMPLETELY misleading impression of the film. But don't let that put you off, this is definitely a movie to watch more than once.

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA is not your average fantasy!WARNING: CONTAINS HUGE SPOILERS!This film has a beautiful setting. A boy is dislike by his family, bullied at school and never has any luck. Until new girls Leslie Burke arrives. They soon become friends and after one swing across a supposedly enchanted rope they reach a magical world of pretty flowers and trees, evil birds and vicious giant squirrels. I loved the way these creatures were based on the school bullies. The two take refuge in a hut.And yes the ending is very depressing when one of the main characters is killed off unexpected and it is true that this film is more like a 12 than PG because of talk of abuse and things, but really i cant see why people say that they weren't warned! It says clearly on the back that this film has scary scenes and emotionasl distress. If those reviewers looked a bit closer at the case they would see that.BRILLIANT FILM!